Sara Silva Pereira

Sara Silva Pereira is an Assistant Professor at the Católica Medical School, focusing on African trypanosomes and their interactions with mammalian hosts. Her lab combines computational biology, infection biology, and tissue bioengineering to model disease environments and develop therapeutic strategies.

Education:

• PhD in Veterinary Parasitology, University of Liverpool (2018)
• BSc in Biomedical Sciences with minor in Biochemistry, King's College London (2014)

Research Interests:

• Antigenic diversity and evolutionary biology of African trypanosomes
• Bioengineered vascular models to study parasite sequestration
• Molecular mechanisms of immune evasion and infection dynamics
• AI applications in parasitology and disease surveillance

Scientific Awards:

• L'Oréal Portugal Medal of Honor for Women in Science (2024)
• Prémio Maria de Sousa (2022)

Research Trends: Her recent work spans parasitology, bioengineering, and AI-driven diagnostics, with emphasis on Trypanosoma congolense, Trypanosoma vivax, and Vascular Endothelium interactions.

Grants and Collaborations: Funded by La Caixa Foundation, European Commission, EMBO, and Fundação BIAL. Collaborates with institutions in the UK (University of Glasgow, Earlham Institute), Spain, Brazil, Kenya, and South Africa.